WESTFORD COMMUNITY WASTEWATER PROJECT
Westford's Planning Commission has worked since 2007 to develop policies, secure grants, and take actions that support the vitality and viability of the Town Center. One of the foundational ways to ensure that Westford has a choice regarding its future is to create a modern and functional wastewater system that allows the continued use, and adaptive re-use, of buildings in the Town Center. Today, those choices are threatened by the failing, antiquated septic systems that serve public and private buildings in the Town Center.
In order to secure a future for Westford, we must explore development of a system that will not only support the users in the Common area, but provide the entire town with the facilities it needs to have a shared space for community, commerce and culture.
This site serves as an information resource for all Westford, Vermont residents.
Your input is important in shaping the policies and funding approach that ultimately is proposed and voted on in the future, most likely at Town Meeting Day 2023
In order to secure a future for Westford, we must explore development of a system that will not only support the users in the Common area, but provide the entire town with the facilities it needs to have a shared space for community, commerce and culture.
This site serves as an information resource for all Westford, Vermont residents.
Your input is important in shaping the policies and funding approach that ultimately is proposed and voted on in the future, most likely at Town Meeting Day 2023
WHY INVEST IN A WASTEWATER SYSTEM?
Providing environmentally sound on-site wastewater disposal is the single most important step any property owner or community can take to ensure the viability of their building, and to protect public and environmental health. Wastewater disposal and potable water supply are governed and controlled by State statutes and rules established by the Agency of Natural Resources. Almost all changes in land use, and expansions of existing uses to provide food service, add restaurant seats, or add a bedroom to an apartment, requires a wastewater permit – and may be limited if the existing on-site system does not meet standards or cannot be upgraded. The legacy septic systems serving all current public structures within the town common area are badly out of date with contemporary public health standards, and in danger of physical failure. In order to meet current state standards, and to ensure the viability of continued building use and adaptation in the Town Common, a new and modern wastewater system that serves the entire common area is needed. Through the Westford Future process led by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Westford residents indicated that they see economic and social revitalization, including business development and the continued use of the structures in the Town Common today, as essential for the survival of the town. A new wastewater system will allow for continued use and future revitalization of the existing public buildings, including the Common Hall, and thoughtful redevelopment in accordance with the town master plan.
Find more answers to your questions on the F.A.Q. PAGE
Find more answers to your questions on the F.A.Q. PAGE
PROJECT TIMELINE
May 4th, 2022 Update:
A new project timeline is pending, as the Planning Commission works towards a new engineering team contract for the project. The town has secured federal funding through the Northern Borders Regional Commission program, Vermont Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but more time is needed to reset for project planning and community outreach. Stay tuned to this space for updates soon!
A new project timeline is pending, as the Planning Commission works towards a new engineering team contract for the project. The town has secured federal funding through the Northern Borders Regional Commission program, Vermont Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but more time is needed to reset for project planning and community outreach. Stay tuned to this space for updates soon!
GENERAL PROJECT COSTS
updated 7/18/22
Estimated Total Project Cost: TBD ($2,900,000-$3,300,000 range)
Target Bond Vote Amount: $700,000 - $1 million
Town's Annual Obligation after user fees: TBD
Monthly Fee per Typical User in System Area: TBD
Funding Sources:
• VT Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $144,525 Grant RECEIVED
• 35% to 75% potential grant funding
• Up to 30 year, 0% financing for remaining capital cost
• Northern Borders Regional Commission: $466,194 Grant RECEIVED
• American Rescue Plan Act Funding (State) no less than $2,377,136 RECEIVED
• American Rescue Plan Act Funding (Local) $300,000 (requested)
Estimated Total Project Cost: TBD ($2,900,000-$3,300,000 range)
Target Bond Vote Amount: $700,000 - $1 million
Town's Annual Obligation after user fees: TBD
Monthly Fee per Typical User in System Area: TBD
Funding Sources:
• VT Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $144,525 Grant RECEIVED
• 35% to 75% potential grant funding
• Up to 30 year, 0% financing for remaining capital cost
• Northern Borders Regional Commission: $466,194 Grant RECEIVED
• American Rescue Plan Act Funding (State) no less than $2,377,136 RECEIVED
• American Rescue Plan Act Funding (Local) $300,000 (requested)
WASTEWATER SYSTEM COMPONENTS
STEP: Septic Tank & Effluent Pump
"STEP" tanks & pumps collect household sewage after the septic tank and pump it to the sewer, located in the street.
"STEP" tanks & pumps collect household sewage after the septic tank and pump it to the sewer, located in the street.
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The engineering options evaluated for Westford all involve the use of a low-pressure sewer collection system and "dosing" pump station across from the Maple Shade Town Forest disposal field. A low-pressure sewer system is a network of sealed pipes and small, belowground pump stations called "STEP" tanks & pumps at each connected property. Low-pressure sewer systems, which require electricity, are preferred in places like Westford where topography and bedrock make gravity sewers both impractical and expensive
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Low Pressure Sewers
Low Pressure or Effluent Sewers bring liquid waste that has been through a Septic Tank & Effluent Pump through a pressurized pipe to the disposal field. Solids in septic tanks at each parcel are pumped periodically.
Low Pressure or Effluent Sewers bring liquid waste that has been through a Septic Tank & Effluent Pump through a pressurized pipe to the disposal field. Solids in septic tanks at each parcel are pumped periodically.
Effluent Pre-Treatment System
A diagram of a typical pre-treatment system; septic tank effluent goes through a filter medium to remove solids and organics before the wastewater is discharged to the disposal field.
A diagram of a typical pre-treatment system; septic tank effluent goes through a filter medium to remove solids and organics before the wastewater is discharged to the disposal field.
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Pre-treatment increases the system's capacity and ability to handle higher strength waste from restaurants and food-related uses by using a common collection pump station and/or a mechanical pre-treatment system. A pre-treatment system removes solids and organics from effluent before it is applied to the disposal field, allowing for higher loading rates per square foot and also extending the field's useful life. The collection pump station would eliminate some STEP tanks and provide more system storage capacity. Both elements require additional electricity and maintenance, but create more robustness and flexibility for Town Center land uses.
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Collection Pump Station Control Building
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A collection pump station control building (top left) and underground pre-treatment system (lids, foreground) serving the Winter Park Business Park on Route 100 in Waitsfield. Adding a collection pump station would provide for greater storage within the system to "equalize" flows, making the system more resilient in the event of power loss, and better able to handle periodic high flows from community events or business activity.
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